University of South Florida

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc.

Susana Lai-Yuen

Stuart Richard Hart

James J Doulgeris

Grahm Roach

Erin Moree

Benjamin Taylor Nelson

Brandon Kruse

Alfredo Weitzenfeld

Sinan Onal

Shyam S Mohapatra

Arun Babu Kumar

Kevin Andrew Hufford

Philip James Hipol

Francy Lorena Sinatra

Parikshit Kulkarni

Mark Xavier Sweeney

Joseph Constantino

Paul Bao

Gerard Michael DiLeo

A laparoscopic instrument is placed into the abdomen without the creation of a skin incision. The laparoscopic instrument includes a shaft that does not exceed 1.6 mm in diameter. The shaft has a beveled end and is inserted into an abdomen similar to the placement of a needle, without use of a scalpel. Operating instruments are introduced into the abdomen through the umbilical port using a docking device, and are then docked to the beveled end of the shaft after the shaft is introduced through the abdomen. Multiple types of operating instruments can be placed on the beveled end of the shaft during the surgical procedure. Each operating instrument is docked with a holster during introduction into and withdrawal from the umbilical port and is removed from the holster only when in use. When removed from the holster it is locked to the shaft and cannot be dropped.

Incision-less laparoscopic instrument

A system and methodology for the automated localization, extraction, and analysis of MRI-based features with clinical information to improve the diagnosis of pelvic organ prolapse (POP). The system can automatically identify reference points for pelvic floor measurements on MRI rapidly and consistent. It provides a prediction model that analyzes the correlation between current and new MRI-based features with clinical information to differentiate patients with and without POP. This system will enable the high throughput analysis of MR images for their correlation with clinical information to better detect POP. The presented system can also be applied to the automated localization and extraction of MRI features for the diagnosis of other diseases where clinical examination is not adequate.

Image-based automated measurement model to predict pelvic organ prolapse

An electronic catheter stethoscope measures and analyzes acoustic fields and dynamic pressure variations in the gaseous or liquid fluid inside a conventional medical catheter that is positioned in a patient's urologic, digestive, reproductive, cardiovascular, neurological or pulmonary system. Measurement transducers are installed in a housing connectable to multiple preselected medical catheters. The transducers detect bodily functions that are transmitted to the preselected catheter from within the body. The transducers, housing, electrical interface and signal processing electronics are positioned outside the body.

Electronic catheter stethoscope

Providing haptic feedback to a user over a packet-switched network includes sensing movement of a haptic device by a user, the haptic device being configured to control a first virtual object within a virtual environment, transmitting data associated with the movement of the haptic device from a client computer to a remote server via the packet-switched network, the server modeling movement of the first virtual object in the virtual environment and estimating an orientation and a position of the first virtual object within the virtual environment, the server determining a type of tactile feedback to be provided to the user, the server transmitting the type of tactile feedback data to the client computer via the packet-switched network, and providing tactile feedback to the user with the haptic device.

Systems and methods for stable haptic feedback over packet-switched networks

A laparoscopic tool includes a base having a bore that receives the proximal end of an elongate outer tube having a lumen in axial alignment with the bore. An elongate inner rod is slideably mounted in the lumen and the bore. A clamp is detachably secured to a distal end of the elongate inner rod. A handle controlled by a user advances and retracts the inner rod. A nitinol clamp is connected to the distal end of the inner rod and an electrically conductive suture thread holds the clamp to the inner rod. A wedge block positioned at the proximal end of the inner rod has a slit that releasably engages the suture thread so that the suture thread is pulled until it is taut and wedged into the slit. The clamp closes when heated by an electrical current flowing through the suture thread and opens when the current stops.

Laparoscopic tool for grasping tissue

A drug delivery device has been designed to directly deliver an agent to the ovaries through direct contact with the fallopian tubes. The device consists of three main components: a tubular inserter, a cylindrical chamber and a plunger. The device is a single-use applicator designed in a shape similar to a tampon to facilitate its insertion through the vagina and into the uterus. Positioning of the device centrally in the uterus is accomplished through the use of ultrasound. The chamber is inserted into the tubular inserter. Adjusting the length of the chamber inserted into the tubular inserter controls the amount of tubing released from the apertures in the tubular inserter. Ultrasound is used to ensure the proper placement of each tube at the entrance of each fallopian tube. The plunger is inserted into the chamber and adjustment of the plunger controls the amount of the agent released into the tubes.

Drug delivery device for ovarian cancer

A laparoscopic suturing device includes a handle and a shaft mounted to the handle. A toggle knob is adapted to rotate the shaft about its longitudinal axis. A pair of opposed jaws, each having a hollow structure, open and close relative to one another. A needle carrier and a needle holder are respectively slideably disposed in a lumen of a first and a second jaw. A needle has first and second pointed ends and is adapted to be press fit into the lumen of the first jaw with the first pointed end exposed and alternatively into the lumen of the second jaw with the second pointed end exposed. A spring-loaded pusher advances and retracts the needle carrier when the toggle knob is in a first position and advances and retracts the needle holder when in a second position. The tool assists a surgeon in suturing tissue captured between the jaws.

Universal laparoscopic suturing device

Growing community of inventors

Tampa, FL, United States of America

Susana Lai-Yuen